AlphaTRAK 2 is the blood glucose monitor used and prescribed the most among vets¹. AlphaTRAK is calibrated for dogs and cats and accounts for the differences in the blood composition of different species. Results are accurate, easy to obtain from the comfort of home and available quickly. Sometimes pet parents choose to use human blood glucose meters instead of a pet glucometer. Human meters are created and calibrated for measuring the concentration of glucose in a human’s blood. When a human blood glucose meter is used for a dog or cat, it assumes human blood composition to calculate glucose levels. This can result in underestimation of blood glucose concentrations and inaccurate readings.

Blood glucose meters intended for human use are calibrated to detect glucose in human blood. The way glucose is distributed in human blood differs greatly from the way it is distributed in the blood of dogs and cats. Human meters do not account for this difference and underestimate the level of glucose in the blood, producing inaccurate results². AlphaTRAK 2 is calibrated specifically for the blood of dogs and cats. Because dog and cat blood differ from one another as well, AlphaTRAK has specific settings for dogs or cats.

Yes. The AlphaTRAK 2 meter stores test results in its memory. To learn how to use and review the meter memory, please see page 30 of the AlphaTRAK Complete User’s Manual.

The lancing device is a pen-sized tool with a spring mechanism and trigger button that is used in conjunction with lancets to obtain blood samples from cats and dogs. The lancing device included in the AlphaTRAK Starter Kit has 9 depth settings. Depending on when your device was purchased, the settings may be numbered 1 through 9 or 1 through 5 with a half-step in between each whole number. On both, 1 is the shallowest setting and the highest number is the deepest. We recommend starting with the deepest setting on the first attempt to draw blood. Then, if your pet bleeds easily, you can dial the depth back. This is to ensure adequate blood is available for the test and could help avoid needing to prick the pet again.

No. Expired strips cannot guarantee accurate results. Discard expired strips and use new strips.

The lancing device delivers a very minor prick with little to no discomfort for your pet. It may help to familiarize your pet with the sound of the lancing device until they get used to it and reward them with a diabetes-friendly treat afterwards to maintain positive association with the process. If you choose the paw pad for your testing site, it may help to use the lancing device on the side of the paw pad, rather on the bottom part that the pet steps on when walking.

No, only use only AlphaTRAK 2 test strips and AlphaTRAK control solution with this meter. Using previous versions of the AlphaTRAK test strips or other brands of test strips and control solution with the AlphaTRAK 2 meter may produce inaccurate results.

A pet’s blood glucose can spike or dip depending on several factors. These include:

• Eating
• Exercise
• Anxiety, such as being left alone or having company in the house
• Moments of activity, like chasing a squirrel or active play
• A visit to the vet

Other factors that could affect glucose meter results include using expired test strips, not adding enough blood to the test strip or using test strips that are not compatible with the AlphaTRAK 2 meter.